Retiree Appreciation Day event set for Oct. 29 Published July 28, 2008 By Derek Kaufman 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Plans are already well underway to make this year's Retiree Appreciation Day the biggest ever. The event is slated to take place Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Hope Hotel adjacent to Gate 12A here. "We wanted to announce the event early, so area retirees who like to plan travel well in advance could mark their calendars," said. Retired Col. Paul Moore, director of Wright-Patt's Retiree Activities Office. The free event is open to all military retirees, spouses, widows, along with those who are very close to retirement. More than 50 information and provider booths will be manned with free literature. A number of door prizes will be provided by sponsors including Army-Air Force Exchanges Service, the Defense Commissary Agency and others. Free refreshments are available from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., with an Opening Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Retired Maj. Gen. William Matz, President of the National Association for the Uniformed Services, is returning again as the featured speaker. He will speak and answer questions from retirees from 9 - 11 a.m. "In response to popular demand, we invited General Matz to return to speak to our retirees about benefits and what's on the horizon for legislation that could impact the military retiree community," Moore said. "Matz is incredibly knowledgeable and a very dynamic speaker. This being an election year, I think many retirees will want to hear what he has to say." Following an available buffet lunch, manned informational displays and free medical screenings will be open and from 1 - 4 p.m., Moore said. Representatives from the 88th Medical Group at Wright-Patterson Medical Center and U.S. Air Force Enlisted Village at Shalimar, Fla. will be among those on hand. For more information about this event or retiree volunteer opportunities, contact the Retiree Activities Office at (937) 257-3221, or visit http://www.wpafb.af.mil/units/rao.